Open Thread #360

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Haha, I was at work when I wrote that (on a darned teeny tablet ugh) - I thought he was married for real! I was immediately sad for you! So I am relieved on your behalf. No baby Rims! Just squee and more airtime for your honey!

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jhu

September 12, 2014 at 7:09 AM

Mary, at one level, I find your obsession with SJR spooky.

Heeheehee you mean there's another crazy mary running around talking nonstop about Rim?

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Mama J

September 12, 2014 at 10:05 AM

There can only be One.

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Saya

September 12, 2014 at 3:12 PM

Mary is an institution. She's the fangirl we all want to be and everybody LOVES her.

Plus she is more famous here than Song Jae-rim himself, right?

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jhu

September 12, 2014 at 10:02 AM

Hahahah.

I wish I could take my Oppa Love craze to similar heights.

That's allz I'm gonna say for now.

*continues sly business of secret stalking*

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kanz

September 12, 2014 at 7:46 AM

It will sure crush long time SoEul shippers.... If there's any.
Are you approving the pair, Mary?

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mary

September 12, 2014 at 10:20 AM

Kim So-eun is good in my book.

I only saw her in BOF but I like her for some strange reason. :)

She is cute, she likes cats, AND SHE HAS A TWITTER ACCOUNT. Where she oh so generously posted a picture of her and Rim on their first filming day.

September 12, 2014 at 9:30 AM

yay! Me too! I was so glad when I heard of that.

Happy OT

I don’t know why but I’m still really heartbroken over the deaths of EunB and Rise of Ladies’ Code. I wasn’t a fan and just heard about them here and there but this whole accident affected me very much! Maybe because I just watched the old Running Man episode where Rise was a guest a few weeks back and thought she was so enthusiastic and bright… This is all so tragic and I sincerely hope that their families and the other members are able to deal with this loss =( No parent should have to bury their own child T_T

On a more positive note my grandma is finally out of the hospital after her hip replacement surgery and now the focus is on getting her walking w/o crutches and it seems like it’s gonna happen fast ;)

IOTL: Aww the ending was really great and sweet and I’ll really miss them =( Another crack drama gone and no other in sight… But oh well^^
Also may I say that I’ve kinda fallen for Kwang Soo. Gah I want to see ‘Confession’ so badly T_T

9 Boys: I really, really love this one. It has this really great feel to it which I totally dig! There is humour but there’s a lot of heart as well. Jin Goo kills me with his crush and I really hope he gets his happy end! I’m so curious about the whole back story of Kwang Soo and Da In and I want to know more like NOW^^
Dong Goo is such a star *lol* and I love how Choi Ro Woon is playing him! Kid’s got a bright future ahead!
I hope to get more of Min Goo and his flame bc the lack of screen time for her just makes me not care about them and I want to care about them ;)

Blade Man: Aah here we go… lots of WTF! But the good kind^^ You know the kind that makes me laugh out loud :D Just… Shin Se Kyung needs to stop crying and screaming bc it’s annoying! I don’t really care for the leads (yet?!) but I already adore little Chang and Secretary Ko! He’s awesome :D

Variety:

RM: What I got from this episode is that Ji Chang Wook is adorably innocent and I loved how frustrated Kwang Soo was with him :D Whenever maths is involved I just blank out and let them do it bc…well maths :P The stealing and hiding of the numbers and arithmetic symbols was fun to watch but the punishment… Damn for a second I feared for Suk Jin’s and Jae Suk’s lives xD And damn Sung Jae that TROLL! I think Chang Wook might’ve killed him if he hadn’t known the solution^^
Looking forward to this week’s ep! Seems like we have a bunch of fierce ladies competing =)

Yeah one of the major problems really is both the competition aspect of things and the schedules. There is just no rest for anyone, be that the artists or the managers and drivers. It's hard on everyone, and in a way we're lucky not to see even more deaths.

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Sajen

September 12, 2014 at 8:53 AM

The thing is I'm not sure we can blame the industry for Ladies' Code's accident. They only had the one recording on their schedule that day and let's face it they weren't a top tear group yet so most likely they and their manager got more rest than they wanted.

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Manin

September 12, 2014 at 9:18 AM

I don't know of their schedual. Though it was something that made them drive late at night in rainy weather 8if I remember the reports right). But yeah I agree its definitively something about the driving culture as well. Especially if Korea is anything like China.

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miszdi

September 12, 2014 at 7:04 AM

I miss the like button too. For someone like me who doesn't post comment that much, liking what we read can be fun as well.

Panda Pooh!

I actually started a tinsy winsy bit of My Spring Days. It feels VERY, VERY, VERY old school. Although that's not necessarily a bad thing. Watched only bits before falling asleep (mostly due to exhaustion,hah, not because of the show) but I feel like I might like it if I pursue it. It's got a breezy, laid back kind of feel. And Sooyoung feels pretty spunky for a woman post-heart surgery.

Iron Man, on the other hand. Hahahahah. It's so outrageous, I cannot help but think it's a very deliberate choice on the part of the makers. The shots are stunningly beautiful. And it's very stylised. It's clearly not made by "intelligent people who are not intelligent". Or, wait a minute, maybe...

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panda

September 12, 2014 at 8:02 AM

Namaste :-)
I have been very interested in My Spring Days and I hope it does well. Planning on watching the first 2 episodes this weekend.

September 12, 2014 at 6:32 AM

Given how incompetent and unprofessional most characters are in their given professions in K-dramas, I certainly hope not :)

They did have Enrique in Flower Boys Next Door ... and made it look like you can be a star video game programmer without doing any code-crunching.

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owl

September 12, 2014 at 8:05 AM

Ah, but he did intern as a baker in King of Baking. YSY, fighting!

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windsun33

Now you made me so curious to know about this mystery site

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Wag_a_Muffin

September 12, 2014 at 11:21 AM

Drama Fever.

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tee

After 2 not so good (at times quite bad) last weeks I've now returned home. Norway is rainy and cold.. Can I go back? Though I wouldn't want to do that journey again (though Europe was the problem..)

I'm all up for mini-beanie meet up! (close or not :p)
I'll be in York, studying medieval history :D Where abouts are you located?

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alua

September 12, 2014 at 9:58 AM

Saya and I are in London.

You have to come to London if you are coming to the UK. We'll take you to Koreatown for tons of food.

September 12, 2014 at 3:28 PM

oh goody! Glad you're back safely, alua! Let us know when you're in town, Manin (leave a comment on alua's blog to pass on your email?). We were thinking of doing a 'Korean night' (or day, actually), where we eat all the Korean food we can conjure and watch a to-be-decided drama. Maybe even marathon it! (Did we decide on My Secret Hotel?). Or we just eat. Eating is fun.

(If there's anyone else local and interested, let us know! Now is a nice time for trips and meets.)

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Saya

September 12, 2014 at 3:30 PM

PS - I've never been to York either...all I know is Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain. And, you know, English history stuff like York vs Tudor. I think it's northish. Northy. Like Yorkshire-type? I could look at a map, but that would be too sensible.

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alua

September 12, 2014 at 3:56 PM

"northish. Northy."

bwahahaha. I love you Saya, you crack me up!

It is north by the way. Just a wee bit below Newcastle. I don't understand how it's two hours from London (I checked, it is) because Birmingham is two hours from London and that's going north (or northwest) too but it's so much more south than York!

Yeah, I was going to suggest the same, Manin, leave comment on my blog and then I'll send you our contact details.

Not sure about marathoning My Secret Hotel. Can I vote for IOIL? Or how about White Christmas? I haven't seen that.

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alua

September 12, 2014 at 4:10 PM

If it fits into your schedule, you might want to consider coming down for the London Korean Film Festival, which will be on in November. They are releasing the programme soon (next week I think).

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Saya

September 12, 2014 at 4:21 PM

ooo White Christmas! YES I VOTE FOR THAT. I tried to make my sisters watch it but one watched 1 ep and gave up, and the other keeps telling me not to tell her to watch stuff. I think IOIL isn't their cup of tea - it's too introspective and 'mature' and they...aren't mature. HAHA.

I think it must be a fast train - you can also get to Manchester in less than 2 hours apparently, so it makes sense. Sort of. In as much as anything Englandish makes sense. Also, ha! I knew it was somewhere in the Shire of York! Who needs MAPS when you can has LOGICK?

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Manin

September 12, 2014 at 10:23 PM

Haha my knowledge of where York is is that it's somewhere north in England :p

I feel excited for this! Haven't seen secret hotel so am up for marathoning that (its on the marathon list anyway). Though White Christmas is awesome, so am up for rewatching that as well!

Comment added to the blog on the "About the blog" section!

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korfan

September 12, 2014 at 7:16 AM

Manin -

Good to see you! How are you?

So glad to hear you're back home safely.

September 12, 2014 at 9:28 AM

Korfan:

Thank you! Yes off to England to be a student again. I'm both dreading it and looking forwards to it.

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Enz

September 12, 2014 at 7:57 AM

Hi Manin! Glad you are home safe and sound, weather notwithstanding. I referenced you in the comment section of plus nine boys epi 3 recap because someone was skeptical of love triangles in kids below 10. I mentioned you had hilarious toddler love stories which you have been regaling the past few months :).

Hullo beanies! Happy OT.

Is no one watching what happens to my family? I am really enjoying it. Park hyung sik's rage face is incredibly cute and it is extremely satisfying to hear the aunt rant on the ungrateful eldest son, who seems ashamed of his family.

Loved it when she went " yeah, you just fell out the sky, didnt you? No one gave birth to you, no one fed you, no changed your diapers, etc etc". I was going "preach it, ku mo!!!!"

But my favourite out of the current bunch has to be Plus nine boys. Really looking forward to it. Well balanced with humour and heart, which is my favourite combination.

Watching others too but not much into them. Suddenly loving running man a lot and am excited at the news they may be coming for a fan meet in malaysia in november. Whooot..

Have a great weekend, all.

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quicksilver

September 12, 2014 at 10:44 PM

I am currently watching What's happening to my family too.. love all the characters there, seems like real life though some situations are OTT I guess.. I like the leads a lot esp Kim Hyun Joo..

I've started watching Plus Nine Boy coz I really like Oh Jungse after watching him in Happy Together, such a natural actor and super funny guy, for real..

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Enz

September 13, 2014 at 8:50 AM

Yes, the characters are exaggerated little for dramatic effect but otherwise, pretty much within two std deviation of the curve. I like kangshim too. I have a real issue with the doctor brother though and the director is a bit overacted. Still, overall, very cute drama with a lot of warmth.

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September 12, 2014 at 9:37 AM

Have to move into the uni accomandation next saturday. so only home for a week. Then it's orientation week and stuff from the 22rd of september.

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>I finished “Shut Up, Flower Boy Band.” What a sweet show that turned out to be! I wanted to adopt all of those boys.

I know! I watched it with my 13 year old son (who adored it, had a huge crush on Su-ah, and now wants to take guitar lessons), and my overriding reaction was that wanted to go buy groceries for them all and make sure they were eating properly.

Proof you're an old lady, I guess, when the pretty high school boys on TV make you want to cook for them instead of flirt with them (though Byung Hee did strongly remind me of all the bad boys I pined after in the '80s. Rawr.)

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Faye

September 12, 2014 at 6:59 AM

LOL, right? I'm 35, and I am definitely at the age when the poor tormented flower boys seem to need mothering more than loving to me :). Granted, I never was one for the bad boys, although none of these guys was ever *really* bad.

And I think one of my favorite lines in all of K-drama history will be Do-Il saying in wonderment, "I never tried studying before, but . . .it's really fun! Solving a math problem is like playing the drums!" with his eyes wide in amazement. That cracked me up so hard for some reason.

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harmonyfb

September 12, 2014 at 7:16 AM

>I’m 35, and I am definitely at the age when the poor tormented flower boys seem to need mothering more than loving to me

::laugh:: I'm 50, so they really look like babies to me (it's also why "High School King of Saavy" made me so grossed out. ::shudder::)

>Granted, I never was one for the bad boys, although none of these guys was ever *really* bad.

I dunno. Byung Hee was that sort of guy who makes girl's panties fly right the hell off - waaaay too dangerous for a high school boy. ::laugh:: I always dated the nice boys back in the day (and married one, too!), but I stared longingly at a few dangerous ones all the same. ;)

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Faye

September 12, 2014 at 7:53 AM

No harm in looking :).

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owl

September 12, 2014 at 8:12 AM

eps 15 and 16 IOIL did not disappoint in wrapping up the drama. Because of that it moved into my top 10 fav dramas.

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Faye

September 12, 2014 at 8:18 AM

Glad to hear people are liking the ending!

I enjoyed the ending because the happiness was hard earned, but I would have preferred them to show us how Hae-soo's family ends up accept Jae-yeol rather than sabbaticals and time-jumps.

September 13, 2014 at 10:56 AM

I don't think Kang Woo was abandoned or sent off. He was absorbed back into the person who separated from him in a time of desperate need.

That Good-bye scene was painful, memorable and powerfully played - especially by JIS.

JY had to accept he wasn't all that cool - he WAS a tattered, barefoot 16 year old who didn't deserve to have the sh^t kicked outta himself. When he could look KW square in the eye and accept that facet of his reality and personality, KW returned. How much it must have hurt to embrace the pain again, but it also allowed himself for the first time to start to heal.

KW will always be with him, just with a different face - his own.

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Enz

September 13, 2014 at 10:52 PM

I agree with you jomo. That scene was wonderfully done and JIS was perfect in that moment.

I disnt love this show much but i did like Jang jaeyeol very much. The medicine was awful and i didnt believe any of the stuff but i did like the romance and stuck it out for that.

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August

September 12, 2014 at 11:36 AM

Yes indeed it was a prescient discussion.

NFL Players Facing Domestic Violence Charges & Still Playing/Practicing with Teams:
Greg Hardy (Carolina Panthers)
Ray McDonald (San Francisco 49ers)

NFL's past penalties for domestic violence 'a different story'
http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/09/us/nfl-players-domestic-violence-accusations/

14 NFL players arrested for violence against women in last two years
http://www.si.com/nfl/2014/09/11/nfl-players-arrested-domestic-violence-assault

What the Numbers Show About N.F.L. Player Arrests
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/13/upshot/what-the-numbers-show-about-nfl-player-arrests.html?_r=0&abt=0002&abg=0

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Saya

September 12, 2014 at 4:31 PM

“sso.. hedgehog?”

Oh, snap! That's exactly what I thought, too! And then lol-ed my head off.

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Manin

September 12, 2014 at 10:34 PM

Haha pretty much what I was doing as well!

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Anduril

September 12, 2014 at 8:26 AM

I think I'm going to like Blade Man. I know people are skeptical that the blades are not metaphorical, but I doubt I would be this positive about the show with out them. It feels like Snow White and her seven dwarfs just met the Beast in his strange castle. Twist, I don't think he knows he is the Beast.

The violence is seriously disturbing, not in the magnitude but in the acceptability, in the lack of censure. I actually like battle scenes and a good fight, but these are not fights. There is just abuse of position.

Totally agree on Iron Man. I stopped watching after 15 minutes because the way he treated his workers was not funny. This is something that bothers me about Korean dramas. Sometimes the subordinate gets hit on the head or the face by the boss or "sunbae." Or an older person feels they have I the right to hit another because they are younger. I understand the cultural differences, but that doesn't mean I have to enjoy watching them when they are something I disagree with. I think that is why bullying and teen suicide is such a problem in Korea. Sunbaes sometimes feel it is okay to push around the younger ones, and the younger ones don't always have the emotional stability to handle that kind of stress. As a teacher it makes me incredibly sad.

Are you the same Saya that's recapping My Secret Hotel?

I'm watching and still enjoying Discovery of Romance.

It was far from intentional but somehow I ended up binge-watching Lee Dong-Wook dramas. I completed Scent of a Woman last month and now I am currently marathoning Mandate of Heaven. And this week I checked out episodes 1 & 2 of Iron Man/Blade Man.

Like you and other commentators have mentioned, the seriousness of violence should not be downplayed or trivialized. Han Jung-Soo as Secretary Ko and Lee Mi-Sook as Butler Yoon are entertaining and interesting characters. Every time Lee Dong-Wook appeared on screen in wearing that flowery shirt, it was like a flashback to the 80's.

I found myself asking what if Han Eun-Jung (Kim Tae-Hee) and Shin Se-Kyung (Son Se-Dong) switched roles? Han Eun-Jung as the 1st lead female and Shin Se-Kyung was the 2nd lead female.

I was excited about Lee Dong-Wook and Lee Da-Hae pairing up to work together again but I wish they had selected another drama instead of Hotel King because it didn't measure up to their past work My Girl. How different would the response to Iron Man/Blade Man be if the OTP in this drama was Lee Dong-Wook and Lee Da-Hae?

Right now, my mindset is to drop it. I'm drained and I don't care to wade through another 20 episode drama with Shin Se-Kyung as the female lead. It was enough last year when I did it for Song Seung-Heon in When a Man Loves.

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Saya

September 12, 2014 at 2:47 PM

Hi August!

> "Are you the same Saya that’s recapping My Secret Hotel?"

myeah but I've been an OT (ir)regular much longer than that! We've talked before! About White Christmas and other animals! But I have been off here for many months because of reasons, so if I look "new", that's why :D

I want to know why Lee Dong-wook looks so gaunt these days - isn't he eating? Sleeping? He looks much plumper and healthier in My Girl (the only other drama I've seen him in)...or is it just age?

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August

September 12, 2014 at 3:37 PM

Cool, I thought so. Congratulations on joining Dramabeans as a recapper. Thanks for recapping My Secret Hotel...I appreciate it. :)

Glad to see you active on the OT again because I definitely had a nice time discussing White Christmas with you and reading your postings.

Lee Dong-Wook is a busy man these days. Earlier in the spring and summer he was pulling double duty with the weekend drama Hotel King and the variety show Roommates. Then he traded Hotel King for Iron Man.

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Saya

September 12, 2014 at 4:23 PM

Thanks, August! It's really my pleasure (seriously, I love my show, and also my sunbaes, and ALSO also everything that I'm learning in the process). Hopefully, we'll all keep on enjoying the show and a) get a happy ending, and b) punish the eeevildoers.

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Because of Reasons

September 12, 2014 at 4:05 PM

In some of the earlier episodes of Roommate LDW mentioned that he was on a very strict diet and exercise regimen for Hotel King, and I assumed that's also the case for Blade Man. Not the mention the stress of the actual filming probably contributes as well. I saw a side-by-side comparison somewhere of how he looked at the start of Hotel King and at the end, and I thought the difference was striking, in a not-good way.

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Saya

September 12, 2014 at 4:28 PM

I feel like he looked his best in his My Girl days - he's been getting steadily thinner but, as you say, not in a good way. He's all hollow-eyed and almost not there!

I finally discovered Roommate a little while ago (thanks again to OT; it was so funny, I was dying) but only caught the one episode, where he basically is not in it until the end -- which kind of seems like the story of his life: always working! Stop!

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Newbie

September 12, 2014 at 10:24 PM

Saya - Consider yourself lucky as you missed out on the episodes in which he is basically not eating.

I'm not into abs and when I have to see, what these guys suffer to get them I detest them even more.

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8 korfan

September 12, 2014 at 6:37 AM

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying your last weeks of summer. ....... Melting here again! Too hot!

I'll admit it ......... I briefly read Song Jae-rim news somewhere and immediately my thoughts were with mary. Heh. ...... We all do that now, don't we? It like automatic or something.

Watched this week:

Temptation - Still enjoying this. Half-way through this and at this point, if Se-young started all this as a game, I don't think she's in charge anymore.

Fated To Love You - Whoever was in charge of casting the main characters for this needs to receive an award. Fantastic.

Korfan:

I wonder what song jae rim would say/think about it if he knew. At least Mary is quite the sweet and cute obsessive fangirl (and that's words you wouldn't normally put together in the same sentence for a lot of cases.)

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mary

September 12, 2014 at 10:01 AM

Lately, I keep choking and my ears are itchy.

So it was you, thinking about me? O_____o

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Manin

September 12, 2014 at 10:24 AM

Mary: choking and itchy ears? Never heard that as symptomes of someone thinking about you before :p My grandma used to say that hickuping was a sign someone was thinking about you though. And China has if you were sneezing some one was thinking about you/talking about you depending on the number of sneezes :p

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Sur

September 12, 2014 at 12:14 PM

OOh we have the hiccup symbolism too and if you accidentally bite your tongue someone is cursing you!

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agentsawse

September 12, 2014 at 1:28 PM

Anyone else hear that Song Jae Rim and Kim So Eun will be replacing Wooyoung and Se Young on We Got Married? I am full of anticipation.

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owl

September 12, 2014 at 8:19 AM

Too hot? Where I am, it snowed last night. Stop that! Summer isn't even over, yet. Too cold!

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korfan

September 12, 2014 at 8:33 AM

owl -

Yes, too hot! It's going to be anywhere from 95F to 98F today and that's just too much for me. ...... *reaching for my cup with water and a zillion ice cubes*

Fated to Love You - Yeah, they made the right decision casting the 2 Jangs for the remake.

Temptation - At first I would watch it detached and disengaged. The discussion threads on Soompi and Couch-Kimchi were far more interesting that the drama itself. That all changed after episode 14.
Temptation has atypical and morally dubious characters and is twisted, frustrating, and inconsistent. Some of the actions by and constructed narratives for the main and secondary characters are objectionable and nauseating. For episode 18, I was able to get in some eye exercises because I couldn't stop rolling my eyes. This week, I awoke from my sleep due to a nightmare about Temptation - of all things a fictional kdrama - I couldn't believe it. It boggles my mind.
Originally, I intended to skip it. But I made the mistake of checking it out for Park Ha-Sun (Two Weeks & Three Days) and Lee Jung-Jin (Hundred Year Inheritance). I'm probably in the minority here but I have not watched Stairway to Heaven. This is my first introduction to Choi Ji-Woo. Medical Top Team (a boring drama that I watched just for Ju Ji-Hoon) is the first time I saw Kwon Sang-Woo.
Yeah, I realize that I should drop it and just stop torturing myself. I've wanted too. But I'm curious to see if the writer really follows through on going against the grain with only 2 episodes left.

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pogo

September 12, 2014 at 1:18 PM

re: Fated To Love You, that is the truest truth ever spoken.

The Jangs are truly jjang, unrivalled among any drama couple we've seen this year, and will easily go down as one of the greatest kdrama couples of all time.

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Panda

September 12, 2014 at 2:59 PM

Pogo, I like your comment ?

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9 chane019

September 12, 2014 at 6:40 AM

Hey beanies!

I'm still on my FTLY withdrawal stage. I've been watching all of Jang Hyuk's movies and I'm downloading all of his and Jang Nara's dramas.

As for US shows, I'm almost done with Breaking Bad (2 more eps to go).

September 12, 2014 at 3:53 PM

One of my favorites is episode #92 with Chun Jung-myung and Park Jin-young (JYP)

I don't know why, from Gary answering the phone in the take-out place accidentally, to the game where they had to hold their breath underwater. It's nothing spectacular. But I laughed out loud.

I also like every episode where Ryu Hyun Jin (baseball pitcher) guests. He's so cute.

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10 A Reader

September 12, 2014 at 6:40 AM

JavaBeans and Girl Friday, for your next book would you please make an in-dept analysis about the live-shooting and the razor-thin budget you've litely mentioned and their resulting consequences, please. Also please add Korean cliques used, such as Hamo Hamo. Thanks a lot. :)

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11 Riya

September 12, 2014 at 6:48 AM

It has ended :(

It's okay, another drama will come along.
Sure the middle stretch got a bit annoying at times (not Jae Yeol though, NO, Never), but can we spazz about how great the last few episodes were? It has been a while since I saw a string of episodes with such intensity in acting/directing/storytelling in a while. I am sorry GHJ, sure I started this for you but JIS has won me over. God, the scenes where he cried had me bawling. How does he manage to play cocky in one one episode and pitiful in the next so well?
After the extremely traumatizing scar that was 'what happened in bali' I had steered clear of JIS and SJS dramas. And because I gave SJS a chance with Master's Sun(again, the reason being GHJ) and he didn't disappoint, I thought JIS deserves it too. Thank you universe being on my side and making this good.

Almost makes me want to pick up That winter, the wind blows. Should I?

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tee

September 12, 2014 at 6:59 AM

I would say NO actually
IOIL was tons better than TWTB

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korfan

September 12, 2014 at 7:59 AM

Riya -

I agree with tee that IOIL was better than That Winter, The Wind Blows.

However, if you want to watch Jo In-sung, I thought he did very well in TWTWB. He's simply a good actor. ....... If you're into watching a color-coordinated drama with aesthetically pleasing shots, then TWTB also fits the bill.

If you're looking for a story with some details/characters that make sense, then, um, no.

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aweebit

September 12, 2014 at 8:03 AM

I would say yes, if you're looking for intensity (especially in the acting dept. with JIS), but no if you want some laughs along with it. Those are much more rare in TWTWB. I still liked it though.

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Sur

September 12, 2014 at 11:52 AM

*minor spoiler*
I would just ask one question are you icky about incest even if its not real and one person doesn't know that its fake but still falls for their sibling then go ahead.... Because I was not! I didn't like it.

I would say JIS also performed way better in IOIL because he had this very annoying "TSKing" sound coming out of his mouth in TWTWB when he has sad scenes. I know that's like the most trivial thing for hating a drama.. but I hate those sounds still

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Riya

September 12, 2014 at 8:59 PM

Umm, huge GOT fan right here. So.....

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12 whatsthescenario

September 12, 2014 at 6:57 AM

Happy Friday!!!!!

It's Ok, That's Love - What an awesome drama!!!! A+ . Such a well scripted story, great story development and fantastic actors. Simply beautiful. I will miss it a lot.

Jang Bori- We're getting to the good parts finally! It was such a slow drag at first.

Yoo Nas Street- Poor little pickpocket, she's growing a conscience. Must be difficult on your line of work. I hate how Booking unni is looking down on her and won't let her rake care of her child but has a messy life of her own.

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lovepark

September 12, 2014 at 7:20 AM

Reply to Yoo-na's Street.
Definitely agree that I felt disappointed about Booking unni's sudden shallow view of Yoo-na after finding about her "job". It is realistic to act that way, but it's disappointing none the less especially since her life is messy, like you mentioned.
I don't know how much you've watched, but I would like to say that I don't hate Booking unni, and you might not either in another episode or two. I won't say much since I don't know your stance on spoilers. Glad to see another fan :)

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mary

September 12, 2014 at 9:59 AM

OMG YNS friends!!!

Trying to avoid spoilers too

***YOONA'S STREET SPOILERS WARNING*** (there)

Now to Booking unni, graaaar I think I know what ep whatsthescenario is referring to and yes, Booking Unni is very judgemental.

Although she and her hubby were just raised to think that way, right? In the earlier episodes when Chang-man asked Byeon-chil what to do if "his friend" likes a pickpocket, Byeon-chil said it's not a question of love. It's a question of when to report the pickpocket to keep her away from the "friend".

That being said, the episode we're talking about is awesome if only because we see a great side to Manbo. Him being understanding about the underworld did so much to make me like him as a person. :)

September 12, 2014 at 3:43 PM

>Is anyone else starting to feel that Chang-man’s goodness is getting a tiny bit irritating...

DO I EVER.

I've been annoyed with his very rigid definition of "good" ever since he started asking Yoo-na to stop pickpocketing. It was a nice sentiment, but it was NONE of his business. That was stemming from his delulu notions of having a happy life with a wife who is NOT a pickpocket.

*** YOONA'S STREET EPISODE 19-20-ISH SPOILER ***
I liked it when he flirted with the dark side in Min-gyu's story arc. (Liked = great show; although it was sad and it broke my heart to see his inner conflict)

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13 MistyIsles

September 12, 2014 at 7:00 AM

Happy Friday, everyone!

Today is packing day for me, because on Monday I'm going back to Japan! My university has an exchange program with a sister school there, so my roommate and I are taking an extra semester before we graduate in December. :)

But, on another note, I'm heartbroken over Ladies Code. Such a tragic event. I knew nothing about them before this news, but they and the loved ones of everyone involved are in my thoughts and prayers. :(

I'm a little behind on things, and will probably stay that way for a while, but anyway...

Running Man: haven't watched this week's episode yet, but I loved the pairings last week (especially Ji Chang Wook/Kwang Soo and Ji Hyo/Seulong) and look forward to more hilarious interactions. And of course the terrifying punishment--unless it turns out like the skydiving thing. ;)

Night Watchman: only one episode behind. Sadly, it's not quite as fun anymore, though things seem like they might start picking up again. Basically, I'm only still in this for the Night Watchman himself, his interactions with Prince Rin, Prince Rin's interactions with Mu Seok, and the hope that we'll get at least one more look at that dragon before the end. But somehow, I really don't regret watching.

Reset: only behind an episode because I'm waiting for episode 3 to be subbed. I'm intrigued by our lead, and loving his assistant(?), and that was an awesome, terrifying ending for episode 2. I think I'm going to love this one.

Three Musketeers: basically, the Sunday shows are winning everything for me right now. So good. I'm still sorting out how I feel about the prince, but I think I understand him a little bit more, and I've decided I like him best when he's taking things seriously. I love him when he's with his father, but most of the time when he's with his wife I kind of want to slap him. Still, I'm hoping they can work things out between them and end up happy together.

And, finally, my mother and I have finished her first kdrama, Joseon Gunman! I'm happy to report that we both walked away fully satisfied. It wasn't perfect, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially Yoon Kang's journey from totally self-absorbed to the people's hero.

Anxiously awaiting Secret Door (so many Sageuks right now!) and Bad Boys.

Have a great weekend!

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korfan

September 12, 2014 at 7:49 AM

MistyIsles -

Have a wonderful time in Japan!

September 13, 2014 at 8:16 AM

Thank you! I'm sure it will too!

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14 Sajen

September 12, 2014 at 7:00 AM

I tried Blade Man because I have lingering affection for Lee Dong-wook from My Girl and various variety appearances, and because Shin Se-kyung is so very pretty. It's the first drama I've ever encountered that was so stupid I had to struggle to get through stopping every 5 minutes to have a debate with myself on whether to continue or not. Right now I can't root for Joo Hong-bin to be in a relationship with anyone of any kind as he's beyond a cold chaebol he's also dangerously violent who for some inexplicable reason makes it rain and grows spikes when he's mad.

Do you think if I offered to pay, Namoo Actors would send Shin Se-kyung to acting school?

Plus Nine Boys- I love it and can't wait for more.

Discovery of Romance- I'm not sure anymore, we'll see if I keep going next week.

Three Musketeers- so much fun.

Sajen -

"Do you think if I offered to pay, Namoo Actors would send Shin Se-kyung to acting school?"

Ha! ....... That would be great, wouldn't it?

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JJK

September 12, 2014 at 9:04 AM

Blade Man - First episode felt really violent. For some reason, Lee Dong-wook having a very acute sense of smell made me think of the guy in Perfume: The Story of A Murderer. I’m like: okay, he is going to find the girl, kill her and extract her scent. And Shin Se-kyung's acting doesn't feel natural. ... Maybe it's too early to decide if Blade is going to turn out good or bad.

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15 Sajen

September 12, 2014 at 7:06 AM

Oh right I forgot.

I was ready to write Roommate off when Song Ga-yeon and Mama Shin left and the announcement of a reboot season 2 but then Sunny happened if they boot the rest of season 1's cast and add Kim Shin-young, T-ara's Hyomin and Kim Tae-woo I'll be giddier than a schoolgirl.

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owl

September 12, 2014 at 4:05 PM

I read somewhere that Jackson (GOT7) , Park Joon Hyung (who did a cameo for the shampoo commercial in FTLY, and recently on Happy Together said he lived with his mom in L.A. - at age 46 [why does that make me like him?] )and Otani Ryohei (Japanese actor in Joseon Gunman and The Admiral: Roaring Currents) will join the cast. I predict Jackson will be a loose cannon and Joon Hyung (g.o.d.)will be surprisingly nurturing (although no one can replace Mama Shin) - in any case, the mix-up seems wilder than ever but a shift in dynamics is welcome.

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16 harmonyfb

September 12, 2014 at 7:09 AM

This week:

Secret Hotel: Stupid holidays, pre-empting my shows. ::sticks out tongue::

Night Watchman: OMG, he went to her when he felt hurt! She put him to bed in her room, and they held hands! Seriously, that's about all I remember from the last episode. I'm sure there was plot stuff, but who cares?

The Mermaid (Surplus Princess): Song Jae Rim looks so soft when he grins. And yet, all I can see is the assassin from "Two Weeks". And I want to kick Jin Ah in her smirky, self-involved face. Note to Jin Ah: He's just not that into you, girlfriend.

"Discovery of Romance": Well. I don't know what world those characters live in, but in my world, getting caught sneaking around holding hands, and then ditching your rightfully-upset girlfriend to take the other woman home? That's nonverbal for "I'm breaking up with you." This was the first episode that I watched instead of just reading the recap, and it aggravated me so much, I'm pretty sure it'll be the last.

Started watching:

"Dalja's Spring": Mmmm, Lee Min Ki. There's not enough of him in any given episode, though his aggravated face while he deals with drunken antics is priceless. The show's premise is pretty thin, though.

Wishing I could watch:

"Blood": Vampire. Doctors. Nuff said? It's going to be a long wait til February.

K-drama Moment:

I have convinced another three patrons to go home and start watching dramas. Also, I got "The King: 2 Hearts" yesterday, so that'll go into cataloging today. I've already made a list of patrons who will adore that series - recommendations are one of my favorite things about this job. :)

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DeNile

September 12, 2014 at 7:24 AM

I am still having issues with that "Blood" Vampire Doctors concept. Someone mentioned something about a character from being human but said he was an orderly.

>You think that would be awesome????*shudders*

To watch, yes (not so much to experience personally). ::laugh:: That would be some quality television.

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owl

September 12, 2014 at 8:24 AM

“Dalja’s Spring”: Mmmm, Lee Min Ki. There’s not enough of him in any given episode, though..."

You can make time, surely? ::dangles Lee Min Ki before you::

I'm on episode 9, I think, and so far I think I'm not reading Kang Tae Bong the way the show intends - are we supposed to think he's actually fallen for her when he shows up and refunds her money? Cause to me it looks like he's a grifter who found a sucker he can string along for free room & board. (That may or may not have to do with recently seeing LMK in his serial killer movie.)

I think I'm safe in saying, however, that Dalja has bleeding tragic taste in men.

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mary

September 12, 2014 at 10:09 AM

@harmonyfb waaaaaaaaaaah~

*** SURPLUS EPISODE 6 SPOILERS***
Gaaaad I just want to falcon-punch Jin-ah's scheming face into oblivion! Just when I was starting to understand her in past episode about the "Working at JH Food is not just a job, it's a dream for some etc etc", she pulls this stupid stunt with the Facebook post.

I immediately tried to search for her account. LMAO. You know the SNS accounts they "use" on the show are real twitter and FB accounts? But they're locked and they won't accept our follow requests. T^T

*sigh*

I was able to view Chef Kwon's timeline by checking Google's cached version of it. There were his selfies from the first episode. And a random picture of "fresh fish". LOL

Gawd I'm just hiding here right now. I'm so mad and I was ranting on twitter about episode 6, but for different reasons! I didn't get that random angsty uncle at the end of episode 6. He was so obviously put there just to give Hyun-myung something to feel down about.

Prior to that there was never any indication that his beloved granny or mom even blamed him at all. And now there's this random angry guy collaring him for being a useless bum, like "Get your hands off him, you stupid random side character! Where the heck did you come from anyway?"

Sorry, I'm just extra critical this week. I'm only watching Yoona and Mermaid, and the difference between the writing is glaring. In Yoona almost everyone has a purpose. They can annoy you or make you fall in love, but they're there for something. In Mermaid, I'm just here for Song Jae-rim (and Jo Boa and also maybe Hyun-myung's story) so when they add annoying random people like that uncle I'm just so pissed at tvN for wasting my time.

*breathes in... breathes out*

I am calm.

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mary

September 12, 2014 at 10:13 AM

See, I was so mad I forgot to reply to your "Song Jae-rim is so soft when he grins comment"

>I try very hard to tell myself that Rim is the second lead so I won’t cry.

::stomps foot:: NO. He will go with the mermaid, and Hyun-Myung will realize that Jin Ah is no good for anybody, and he'll find a sweet girl who doesn't care what he does for a living, and Big will get over his ill-fated crush on Suzy, and everybody will live happily ever after, especially Mary, because there will be a bed scene, the end.

::focuses laser-like will on drama team::

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mary

I was so incredibly angry that I COULDN'T EVEN. That should have been a firing offense, seriously.

And all I could think was, "Hyun-Myung, did you really put your big pepper in that? EW."

(Speaking of, can we please change Hyun-Myung's name? Because half the time I hear "Hyung" instead, and then I get confused about who's being spoken to. #dammitkoreanishard)

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mary

September 12, 2014 at 1:49 PM

We used to call him Second... but calling him that just pains me now and interferes with my Operation: Pretend Rim is 2nd Lead So You Won't Get Chilbong-ed Later.

Now we call him HornDog. Is that okay? *cough*

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harmonyfb

September 12, 2014 at 2:12 PM

>Now we call him HornDog. Is that okay? *cough*

Yessssss. ::goes to happy place::

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17 D

September 12, 2014 at 7:11 AM

My measly viewings this week...

Josean Gunman - I got so far behind in this but I finally got through episide 13 this week. And I hear it picks up after that episode? I am enjoying it, although the women still leave me a bit eh....they're not bad but I'm just not that interested in their characters.

Bridal Mask - I had a mini marathon this week and watched up through episode 8. It's so good! In fact I talked about it so much that my mother (who does not live near me) decided that she better watch it too. Woo! She's only seen one episode but I count is a success. And I have so much left to go but I'm so excited by all the twists and turns up ahead. And there are so many amazing people to watch in this. *happy dance*

Running Man - I'm actually super excited my the preview for next week. It looks hilarious and I love how the members were so caught off guard. Kdrama female stereotypes for the win!

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18 Angélina Eang

September 12, 2014 at 7:17 AM

Is anyone else watching My Spring Days ? I am bummed that dramabeans or koalasplayground or any other KDramas sites are talking about this drama because it's freakin' amazing.
For real, the first two episodes were so good. It's well-written, well-directed and well-acted.
The OTP has such a great chemistry together despite the 20 years of age difference and all the other characters are lovely. I really adore Bo Mi's parents and Dong Ha's children. And the secretary and the best friend too, haha.
For real, it has a lot of comic moments but also heartwarming and emotional ones too.

September 14, 2014 at 1:35 AM

Looks like dramabeans will be recapping it!! I just finished watching it and i'm in love.

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19 DeNile

September 12, 2014 at 7:17 AM

I have to ask: Redfox...are you ok? I truly hope your week was better coz your posts in the last Open Thread had me worried

September 12, 2014 at 7:39 AM

I am not watching it but I have seen clips online and oh my gosh, I love his triplets, especially Min Guk

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korfan

September 12, 2014 at 8:17 AM

crayon_girl -

I also haven't seen this show, but I have seen videos of the it here and there. ....... Just this week I saw a clip of those triplets with their dad. It was this clip where the triplets were dancing!

And yes, they are very cute.

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djeedjes

September 12, 2014 at 8:18 AM

Me!!! I watch RoS regularly since beginning. My first fav kid was Haru, but now I loveeeee the triplets, they are sooo adorable - the faces, the characters are all so different so I really admire how SIL handles them, I don't have any patience with kids, and SIL is really really good in raising them.

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Sur

September 12, 2014 at 11:42 AM

OOh I'm watching Outlander! It's amazing, the books are great too and if you read while watching you'll find so many dialogues are similar. But I love the series too I've watched upto ep 4.

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Enz

September 13, 2014 at 8:58 AM

Oh do check it out. Its a weekend drama so i am assuming many episodes. Easier to watch while currently airing.

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24 djeedjes

September 12, 2014 at 8:15 AM

Anybody here watch the talkshow "Abnormal Summit" ??
I'm obsessed with it. Thankfully there are (more than) decent subbed episodes available, so I can watch it regularly.

AS is a talkshow of 11 foreigners who are living in Korea. Everyweek they discuss about their cultures, and then there will be representative guest(s) of Korean who raises a case to be discussed together. More about it : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-Summit

The banters are smart, I love the casts, and everyone in the show are likeable. Kudos for the PD and casting team.
My only complain about the casts is too many Europeans! Wish there is representative from the other sides of Asian (like South Asia, SE Asia )

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lulu88

September 12, 2014 at 10:46 AM

2NE1 and other Kpop girl groups remind me of cheerleaders, and some of their songs follow cheer leading beats. Girls Generation "The Boys" comes to mind as an example of this.

I like 2NE1. Some of the other girl groups are not my cup of tea.

Enjoy your Kpop explorations! Keep us posted!

Check out Dok2 and/or Bumkey. Been listening to Beenzino's new offering and also find it worthwhile.

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Aigoooo

September 12, 2014 at 3:16 PM

Well, I only started watching Kdramas about a little over a year ago and all I knew about Kpop was Girls' Generation (from when I watched Kings2Heart). I like some of their songs like Gee and Genie but that's about it. I can't really say that I am into an artist/group unless they have at least 5 songs I like. With 2NE1, I can easily name at least 10 songs that I think rocks.

I Am The Best
Fire
I Don't Care
Lonely
Ugly
Come Back Home
Can't Nobody
Missing You
Gotta Be You
Go Away

I also really like their music videos. Some of them have famous Kdrama actors like Lee Min Ho and Kim Woo Bin (Kiss), Song Jae Rim (Go Away) and Lee Jeong Seok (I Don't Care).

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mary

September 13, 2014 at 3:58 AM

Huihuihui was waiting for someone to mention that MV with Song Jae-rim.

Bad Oppa! He was very bad in that MV.

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Aigoooo

September 13, 2014 at 4:16 AM

hehehehe Your Song Jae Rim sixth sense seems to be working fine. Nakakatakot! 8D

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windsun33

September 12, 2014 at 12:39 PM

As much as I am obsessed with k-dramas, I have little interested in k-pop except that I sort of follow the industry happenings.

Oddly perhaps, I have gotten semi-obsessed with C-Pop, especially A-Mei, Jolin Tsai, and a couple others. I understand perhaps 10 words of Mandarin or Cantonese... :P

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27 Emmy

September 12, 2014 at 8:33 AM

I've been watching Chuno after my "discovery" of Jang Hyuk in fated to love you.

I'm in two minds about this show. No doubt it is beautifully shot (I only recently found out it was from the PD of Conspiracy in the Court), and Dae-gil's story is gripping, but I don't really care so much about anyone else other than Dae-gil. I feel that he is the most layered character and everyone else is rather one-dimensional.

I plan to continue watching and hope that the drama will be able to resolve Dae-gil's story well enough

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wonhwa

September 12, 2014 at 10:15 AM

I had the exact same issue with Chuno. I thought it was very pretty to look at, and Jang Hyuk was amazing, but the screenwriting was underwhelming, especially in the areas of characterization and plot structure. I'm not even sure Daegil would have been an especially interesting character if he hadn't been played by such a gifted actor.

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pogo

Here's where the Like button would have been useful.

Love that book!! Love your username!

Welcome to OT on Dramabeans.

Will finish IOIL this weekend. Been re-watching City Hunter this week, as I get some stuff done at home.

Also re-reading The Three Musketeers before watching the Kdrama remake. It's a fun read.

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Americanah

spazmo

September 12, 2014 at 10:41 PM

Volcano High has tons of actors/actresses in it - jang hyuk was such a doll when he was young (and he was as over-the-top back then as he was in FTLY)...

gong hyo jin was bad ass, shin mina and others...

loved that movie...

http://asianwiki.com/Volcano_High

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jhu

September 12, 2014 at 7:04 PM

Best. Idea. Ever.

My favourite scene in Windstruck (of which I only rewatch teh first half) is the handcuffed washup. Peeling and unpeeling of clothing. Could watch that scene on repeat all day.

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31 CaroleMcDonnell

September 12, 2014 at 9:29 AM

Hi all:

Hope everyone is doing well!

Am getting ready to go visit another day-hab program for younger son. This one is connected to ARC -- assn for retarded citizens. It's their annual picnic so it'll be fun to see other parents of children with disabilities. I had a funny dream last night that he suddenly began to speak and was totally healed in his brain. My husband and I looked so surprised in the dream. But then son failed a math test miserably and we had to take him to school so he could learn the basics. Such a hopeful miraculous dream.

Finally finished my review of snowpiercer --actually finished it a while ago but had to add a coupla more reviews-- and so Lixie, if you want to see it, you can email me. It should be out online at the beginning of October though.

Drama:
Reset annoyed me when there was this mega coincidence that just made me drop it. There is just so much coincidence i can take in a police procedural.

Also dropped Blade Man because of that same concidence thingey. I might go back to this but the coincidence/lost child/unknown trope is a bit too much for me.

I am seriously liking Night Watchman. There are moments of "Lord, help me, I've heard of hidden agendas in stories...but there are so many hidden agendas in this drama I really don't know where we're going. The Big Bads don't even have mologues/internalizations where we know what they're after." I kinda understand though that Sadam is after the kingdom...i think. Or at least out to rule the one who rules the king. Am hoping our prince Rin doesn't lose his mind --magic spell and all-- as his father did. And i still am not on board with this love affair which just feels weird to me

Plus Nine Boys: Haven't seen this week's episode yet so will probably see it tonight.

What's happening with my family: Haven't seen this week's episode yet but am wondering where Doc's cast-off girlfriend went. Wondering if they will make her a villain and wondering if I will be able to like a character who is okay with having her husband "bought" for her by her daddy.

Three Musketeer: so well done.

Seijo: Gotta catch up on episode 3..So far, I'm not liking the way this drama links extremely religious person with villainy. They do this so often. Kdramas are at least a lot more fair to religious folks.

Time Spiral (j-drama): Am really liking it. Finding the time traveller weirdly sexily meancing. I still want her with Kentaro although i think the drama is veering toward making it a real love match with heroine and her "rescuer"

Caught up on I am a Man and Abnormal Summit. Loved the more conservative guys. They seemed more realistic at times...except for the whole beating students thing. After a while I got annoyed that the "summit" were all men. Because even in the west, men and women do differ on some issues.

September 12, 2014 at 12:12 PM

let's call him an ojin because he definitely has some weird hechi thing going on. I so hope he isn't so in real life.

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Manin

September 12, 2014 at 9:54 AM

i Carole! Hope you have a good time at the picnic!

it is! And she referred to the clients as "students" whereas the other place called the "consumers." I hate the consumer/provider paradigm. Paperwork being set into motion.

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AJ

September 12, 2014 at 11:28 AM

I'm enjoying the Night Watchman show as well but seriously hope they drop the idea of having a romance between Prince Rin and the shaman girl --there's no spark there at all and no amount of wind is gonna make a flame. There's some chemistry with the poetry quoting guy who can't see ghosts and I'd be somewhat ok if the romance went in that direction. But for this show I think the best thing would be for the four leads to simply work together to defeat the Big Bad. Like Joseon X-files which I adored and want more of.

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CaroleMcDonnell

September 12, 2014 at 12:08 PM

I loved the whole whispering/gossip ghosts and the smallpox ghosts. This drama just comes out with strange little bits of creativity like that...and just makes me smile.

Yeah, the romance just isn't there. They keep telling us it's kinda there but I do not feel it at all.

Hi Carol,

I'm watching the Watchman also despite my frustration at the so slow developing of the plot. Jung il Woo should have been in a Nightwatchman outfit at least 2-3 episodes ago. The blacksmith is keeping me there. The first two ep's were great then the writing seemed to lose its way.

The King does virtually nothing but flounce on his settee when he's not drawing his sword on his grandmother.

The small pox ghost was creative. Why are Rin's ghosts so ineffective? Looking forward to your comments.

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CaroleMcDonnell

September 12, 2014 at 3:02 PM

Rin's ghosts are awfully convenient, aren't they? There were a few times there when I thought, "Surely the ghosts should've seen that coming!" But either they are conveniently not around or they don't say anything.

There are moments in this drama when I wonder if the confusion I feel is deliberate.

There are so many ways to do suspense: 1) Have a character and the viewers know something but others don't know. The drama does this a little but the knowledge is in the wrong person's mind. I really don't thnk the Prince will hate the shaman if he finds out about her sister.

2) Have a character know something which we viewers don't know. This could work but there are sooooooo many characters with motivations, goals, secrets we aren't privy to. So it doesn't work. Hence the boredom because we are on the outside looking in on soooooooooo many plot points.

I don't mind not knowing where we're going but i do mind the writers not telling us what the minister wants. When everyone's goals are so cryptic, you can only see one step ahead and feel half-involved. I still am not sure if minister is totally bad. I'm wondering if the courtlady/doctor/meds-hoarder has plans to put a love-spell on Rin. I don't know/remember why/how Sadam became friends with the king in the first place. Did the young jealous prince's relative have anything to do with Sadam in the past? What does In Hwa want to say to her brother? And who is the young ghost girl? A relative of Prince Rin?

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atz

September 12, 2014 at 1:09 PM

I see Jung Il Woo being a Prince in this drama is perfect. He has this regal feel with him that only few K actors can possess. It's not about his look, but his manner and the way he speak are quite elegant. He carries himself really well enough to convince us a real prince. But the Prince and the shaman being in a romantic relationship is just not going to work it out.Due to their conflicted relationship( her sister was involved with his father and this became a downfall for his father), I guess that the plot want to carry their romance as love conquers all. Yet this particular relationship is not realistic at all and on top of that, there is no chemistry between them. The writer should stop shipping them. Carol is right that it should have been a story of the nightwatch man.

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aley

September 12, 2014 at 2:11 PM

Yeah, jung il woo's a pretty good actor, but not great. In korea, he's Not considered one of the best. He's famous but even though he can act better than certain people, he cannot compete with the overall popularity and star power of the Kpop idol actors. Not fair.
Also, I feel kinda bad because his last 2 dramas are not big hits. Golden Rainbow did not get as much hype as it could have and now Night Watchman is getting so much criticism for a messy, boring story. I hope JIW gets a better drama next time.

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CaroleMcDonnell

September 12, 2014 at 2:46 PM

I wonder if Jung Il Woo should've been the night watchman? Although i do like the actor who plays the blacksmith. If they decided to make the watchman a hottie jung il woo, i'm not sure if JIW could've carried it off. Plus, after seeing Lee Jun Ki in fight scenes, JIW's fan-fighting and leaping from stairs either shows that the prnce can't figt...or JIW can't do fight scenes. Unsure which. So I guess it's got the rght actors in the right parts, but Prince Rin should've been a secondary character, not the main one. Unfortunately, when we have a gorgeous actor playing a prince, somehow the drama insists the prince has to be the main character.

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aley

September 12, 2014 at 3:06 PM

Uh...I would not say gorgeous, a bit overrated, but then again, beauty's subjective. I've seen actors and idols with more manliness and more sexy appeal than JIW.

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harmonyfb

September 13, 2014 at 7:30 AM

> but seriously hope they drop the idea of having a romance between Prince Rin and the shaman girl

I don't read their interaction as 'romance' so much as 'assembling your chosen family', which strikes a huge chord with me. I'm looking forward to Bodyguard's moment of choosing, when he realizes that being a member of their little family is more important than being a tool for someone else.

Gosh what a week!!! :-)
There was an overwhelming flow of good dramas. Iron man and The spring day of my life aired this week and then there is my regular schedule; My secret hotel, Discovery of love, Surplus Princess, High school love on and Plus nine boys. And not to mention "Rest"..... Woof!
In past three years of my drama watching, this is the first time my schedule is so tight. I might probably shelve Iron man for later and also High school love on. But still it is wonderful that my Kdrama addiction will be fed well for the next few weeks. :-) :-D

Hi beanies, hope you're having a good Friday!

On the j-drama front, I'm three episodes into Saikou no Rikon and enjoying it. Ono Machiko is a hoot as Yuka, I'm really liking her and rooting for her. Ayano Go's Ryo is pretty likeable too... is it too much to hope something might develop between Ryo and Yuka? Eita's character is surprisingly annoying, methinks Mitsuo and Akari deserve each other's miserable selves.

Not terribly anticipating Tamaki Hiroshi's new drama... sounds suspiciously like Last Cinderella, which was atrocious. But hopefully Tamaki can rise above the material.

<Hirosue Ryoko appears in one of the episodes

Does she? I haven't noticed her, but I haven't seen ep 8 and 9 yet so I think you're fairly safe. It does get a little shouty at times, esp. earlier episodes. And Tsumabuki's character is the shoutiest. But the family dynamics are great. Real and touching.

I sort of know what you mean with being super-allergic to her. I have managed to watch some of her dramas, but I struggle when she's the lead... not sure it it's because she plays annoying characters or because it's the way she plays the characters that is annoying. 11 Nin mo Iru! is one of my favourite family comedies, but it's because all the other characters are awesome....

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junny

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owl

September 12, 2014 at 3:27 PM

Hours of My Life was really touching and well done.

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junny

September 12, 2014 at 4:15 PM

@alua,

I heard Kamiki's new drama, Henshin, is very good, but I don't think there are English subs yet, sigh. Ohhh, he was also in Taira no Kiyomori! Apparently, he played the son of Tamaki's character... dang, maybe I should *try* to revisit that taiga and at least finish all of Tamaki's parts...

I just thought of Ikematsu Sosuke, who was excellent in MOZU (which was tedious), but he's on the not-very-tall side either (1.7m). And I guess maybe he doesn't quite fit the Ren image. I see Kora Kengo is also in Marks no Yama, someday I shall get to that! Damn, so many dramas, so little time!

I saw Sato Takeru in MW: Akuma no Game, and he was all right, but not particularly outstanding. Isn't he the Ruronin Kenshin guy? How is he in that role?

Yes, please do stay away from the Norwegian Wood film, it's horrible. Are you a Murakami fan too? I love his stuff, but haven't had the time to get round to 1Q84, and now he's got a new novel out already!

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alua

September 12, 2014 at 4:41 PM

No, no subs for Henshin. I have been keeping my eye open for them, but, alas, none.........

Oh, I am feeling so satisfyingly full. I just loved the last three dramas that finished airing (that I watched), Fated, Marriage, Not Dating, and It's Okay, It's Love. I want to take a break and enjoy the feeling of not being disappointed with a show. You know what I mean?

So I'm reading your comments to see what I should commit to next. All the raves about Yoonas Street makes me want to find it. As a QC on Viki, I am so spoiled with the no ads. It's hard to watch elsewhere and be patient with the ads.

That being said, I did watch a couple of things based on the recommendations of some of my fellow translators:

The Man Who Can't Get Married--This was hilarious and I actually liked it better than Witch's Romance because the love interests were all the same age. Ji Jin-Hee is such a good actor and quite pleasing to the eye.

We Got Married International Edition, Season 2--Nothing like a little scripted reality... I actually liked this season better than season one. Key-Ari made a very nice couple, but the most interesting was the transformation of Heechul. In the beginning he was so self-centered--undateable, really. But he realized he wanted to treat his partner as a person and respect her feelings. As a parent of someone his age, it gave me hope that she would eventually also mature enough to be in a relationship. ;-) What impressed me most was how needy these idol boys are (okay, so Season 1 Taecyon was not needy) and yet so professional. It's a strange combination of man-child. Also, I think it is a great series for the fangirls to see their idol as a person who will eventually be in a relationship with another person and learn to wish them well, rather than resent her.

Other than that, I'm no longer working on The Three Musketeers since it isn't licensed for North America. Almost finished with A Little Love Never Hurts (the mother in It's Okay, It's Love was the main character in it--FYI--she's very good), and working on some Roy Rogers shows. They are always about racial tensions between the Mexican's, Indians, and Whites during the time that California was first a state. Roy is the voice of reason who is friends with all of them and mediates the conflict. And sings a love song too.

Have a great week. Going back to the mountains on Monday. Fall. So lovely.

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Anna

September 13, 2014 at 5:21 AM

I'm still holding out James, despite being really tempted, but as I am going to Korea in 10 days, I will probably wait now until I get back.

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pogo

September 12, 2014 at 1:05 PM

oooh I really do like The Man Who Can't Get Married, but someone mentioned that it has a very jdrama feel which I think is accurate.

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bbstl

September 12, 2014 at 2:15 PM

I loved that show! Ji Jin Hee seems like such a serious actor but he was hilarious. Oh, and we got to see his butt :p

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36 Sur

September 12, 2014 at 11:33 AM

Happy OT
So I was in a slump last week! getting dumped and all is pretty much bad.. i skipped college for 2 days too because I didn't want to see my ex.. And nothing is better than escapism in these situation, so I too off to Agra wrote quite a lot of poems and I feel really good now. Went back to college and felt miserable again so decided to watch dramas and read books. That is what I actually want to talk about

I started reading a book named Welcome to the Underworld, apparently it was a soompi fan-fiction then it got published, its really good, I would totally recommend it. I'm reading the second book in the series and have to say the best way to forget your ex is to fall in love with those perfect fictional leads!

For dramas I started watching Love revolution as someone on the last OT recommended it to me! its lovely that analogy "Love is like waiting for a taxi" got me right *here*

Other dramas I started are Will it snow for Christmas, as I was down I thought a melodrama would let me cry but so far I'm just mesmerized by a young Kim Soo Hyun. Just got to the adult part waiting for the Go Soo magic.

I started watching this weekend drama Glorious day/A good day. Is anyone else watching? I really like it but if it gets too boring in the end I don't want to continue..

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junny

September 12, 2014 at 11:58 AM

I'm so glad you are liking Love Revolution! Which episode are you on? I love the little vignettes at the beginning of each episode and how they tie in with the general them of the episode itself.

Will It Snow For Christmas is also pretty good... until about episode 10. Then I feel it lost its way a bit. It's still a good watch overall, and I do like Go Soo and Han Ye-seul, they were sweet together.

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Sur

September 12, 2014 at 12:19 PM

Haven't got much far I'm at ep 4

September 13, 2014 at 11:44 AM

I can very well live vicariously! Its true that I already love the male lead and his honesty and ttoek song... But i'll be fine

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37 pogo

September 12, 2014 at 1:00 PM

Happy OT, everyone! I somehow feel like I'm in a drama slump even though I'm watching 4 series at once from TVN and they're all pretty good so far - The Three Musketeers, Surplus Princess, Plus Nine Boys and My Secret Hotel.

Not to mention Reset, where it's clear Kim So-hyun is growing up to be a beauty! I can see her snatching that 'Nation's First Love' title in a couple of years' time. Plus a handful of Daesangs to go with it, she is not just a pretty doll face.

Also have to leave some love for Lee Jin-wook in Three Musketeers, since he and Yang Dong-geun are what keep me hooked. It's a great cast, and I appreciate that even Yonghwa is doing well at the emoting/acting (seriously, such an improvement, I never thought he was hopeless but he's really pretty decent here). But I'm happy that the drama is following a true two-leading-men strategy, since kdramas often flop miserably at giving more than one person adequate screen time.

And I love that the source material has removed this drama from the need to pander to the typical kdrama formula in many ways. Long live unpredictability!

Also a note of appreciation for Jo Boa in Surplus Princess. For an actress who debuted not so long ago (we all saw SUFBB), the improvement in her acting is nothing short of astounding - she was ok in SUFBB but very green and largely helped out by the writing. In Surplus Princess, she's just embraced the part so fully, it's impressive - she doesn't hold back from the fact that the mermaid is a perv or totally shameless. I hope she continues to do well, she's taken some interesting roles and really worked on her craft and shown results.

(and now my bias Lee Yubi is returning to dramaland! Sadly not in first lead, but hopefully her role will be good and this will be the step she needs to get to first lead? I'm not watching any of the Wed-Thurs dramas of September, I'm just waiting for them to get over so I can see Pinocchio)

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38 john

September 12, 2014 at 1:57 PM

Watching a Asadora, Hanako to Anne. Also enjoying Ryomaden

Yoo Na's Street: Let Yoo-Na and Chang-man steal your hearts.

Will catch up on other shows , ( Musketeers, Mermaid, Plus 9 Boys), this weekend.

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September 12, 2014 at 2:09 PM

Since this is an open thread, I'm going to vent my frustration at Kim Hyun Joong. It deeply angers me when I read that his fans are still supporting him despite him admitting to the police (there was an article about it) that he did hit her and that he's actually scotch-free as of now. His agency released a statement that he will vacation in Peru! -_- I hope he gets jail time for his assault. If Ray Rice gets kicked out of NFL for his assault, Jaycee Chan (Jackie Chan's son) gets 3-5 yrs of jail for smoking marijuana, and Kai Ko (Jaycee Chan's Taiwanese actor friend) gets banned from Chinese media due to smoking marijuana, surely Kim Hyun Joong should also face dire consequences. NO ONE SHOULD EVER HIT THEIR LOVE ONES! Kim Hyun Joong has no right and I hope he rots in hell.

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pogo

September 12, 2014 at 3:46 PM

His lawyers put out a statement saying he was working out compensation with the victim (wtf, what kind of law even allows you to get off jail time for woman-beating if you just pay money).

And then the victim came out with a statement that was basically "just apologise publicly, bastard" (only politer of course). Which makes me respect her even more for standing her ground.

I cannot believe he got to basically treat the investigation like a piece of homework he didn't want to do. I hope he becomes irrelevant and his career dies a quick death.

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meh

September 12, 2014 at 4:45 PM

What also upsets me is that Daniel from DMT is sentenced to jail for telling someone where to buy drugs whereas this douchebag is just going to compensate her. I wish he gets to go jail or like "Shiku" wrote: "gets blacklisted from the entertainment industry."

September 12, 2014 at 4:49 PM

Me too. I am rooting for Miss A, wholeheartldy. She received nothing but pain and backlash from his fans while KHJ is going to vacation in Peru.

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September 14, 2014 at 11:01 AM

This is off topic, but in a timeless way on-topic, too:

As I was idly rereading G. Heyer's 1936 novel "The Talisman Ring" the other day, I ran across this passage, towards the end of Chapter X:

"Presently," replied Sir Tristram, detaining Miss Thane by the simple expedient of stretching out his hand and grasping her wrist.

She submitted to this...

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